It is big, heavy and quite breathtakingly expensive, but if you're the sort of photographer who needs to have the very best then ask the picture agency you work for to buy you one.
The D3 is still clearly a very good camera – and whether that slight edge of extra detail justifies another couple of grand spend has to come down to personal choice and experience.
The high-end SLR market often seems like a perpetual game of leapfrog, but for now, the Nikon D3X sits at the top of the heap, as the ultimate digital SLR.
Especially for pros and enthusiasts who are already invested in the Nikon system, and can afford the eight grand, this is one smart big-ticket purchase.
The bottom line is that if you want the finest image quality at the highest possible resolution, the D3x is now the best camera of its kind.
While [Canon's] EOS 5D Mark II additionally boasts an HD movie mode and anti-dust features, the D3x is obviously a much tougher and faster camera that’s ultimately targeted more at the needs of pro photographers who’ll happily pay the asking price.
In terms of image quality performance, the D3x did well, but scored slightly lower overall than the far less expensive Nikon D700. Where the D3x shines is in the breadth and depth of its control and customization options. If you're working in a studio, with a consistent, known setup, this amount of customization is invaluable.
Where the D3x shines is in the breadth and depth of its control and customization options.
